FAQs

The primary goal of the VISION 43 project is to engage the community to reimagine Highway 43 as a safer, more accessible corridor. The project prioritizes creating an environment where people can comfortably walk, bike, and roll; encouraging development patterns that offer a variety of transportation options and strengthen connections to surrounding neighborhoods; and shaping the corridor as a vibrant hub for living, working, and recreation, with a mix of housing, shopping, dining, and open spaces.

Objectives

✓Create a new community vision for the Highway 43 corridor

✓Engage community members and neighborhoods to help craft recommendations

✓Improve opportunities for walking and bicycling within and to the corridor

✓Create opportunities for more businesses, housing, and gathering places

✓Update City plans and policies to implement project goals and recommendations

Planning for the future of Highway 43 is essential for several reasons:

• Safety Improvements: Enhancing neighborhood connections and identifying safety improvements can significantly improve the highway experience for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists and reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. Safety improvements include sidewalks, enhanced pedestrian crossings and separated bike paths.   
• Community Connectivity: Enhancing connections between neighborhoods and adjacent areas can foster a sense of community and improve access to essential services, recreational areas, and commercial centers.
• Economic Development: Creating mixed-use zoning along the corridor can stimulate economic growth and boost local commerce by attracting businesses, providing needed housing, improving accessibility, and increasing property values.
• Environmental Benefits: Modernizing the land uses adjacent to the highway with environmentally friendly designs can reduce pollution and promote sustainable practices. This includes improving public transportation options and creating pedestrian and bike-friendly pathways.
• Quality of Life: Better connectivity and new mixed-use zoning contribute to an enhanced quality of life for residents. Safe and efficient transportation options with pedestrian-friendly parking lots, coupled with well-planned community spaces, and additional housing create a more livable, walkable and enjoyable environment.
• Long-Term Vision: Having a vision plan ensures that the community is prepared for future growth and changes as this area becomes a more desired and accessible destination. It is a proactive measure that makes it easier to secure funding and support from government agencies and stakeholders.

By planning for the future of Highway 43, the City can ensure that the corridor evolves to meet the needs of its residents, supports economic growth, and maintains a high standard of safety and sustainability.

The VISION43 planning area encompasses Oregon Highway 43, stretching north from the I-205 interchange and including the land alongside the highway corridor to Lake Oswego. As the gateway to West Linn, Highway 43 is not only a crucial north/south transportation link in the Portland Metro Region but also functions as West Linn's primary thoroughfare and a shopping area for local community members.

Three focus areas along Highway 43 are identified for new mixed-use zoning, where redevelopment could occur, along with targeted transportation safety and connectivity improvements. Rezoning would primarily apply to properties currently zoned or used for commercial purposes.

The main tool for implementing the VISION43 Corridor plan will be a new mixed-use zone applied to the Focus Areas.

• Zoning changes to allow for a walkable mix of housing options, businesses, and places to eat, drink, and gather.
• Mixed-use residential: Development that includes multi-family apartments or condominiums above commercial/retail uses would be a defining characteristic of the mixed-use zone.
• Parking: Redevelopment properties would be designed with parking lots to the side or rear of buildings to allow street frontage on Highway 43 with direct entrance to front of building, with enhanced safety features for pedestrians and abundant landscaping. Underground parking, second story, third story or rooftop parking would be allowed. 
• Commercial and retail: Local shopping, services, restaurants, offices, and entertainment would continue to be allowed.
• Multifamily housing: Higher density residential development in areas along the corridor would contribute to a local customer base within walking distance of local businesses and other services provided in the mixed-use zone.
• Maximum height: The maximum height for building adjacent to Highway 43 would increase from 45 feet to 55 feet. The maximum height for buildings or portions of buildings not adjacent to the highway would continue to be 45 feet.
• Highway 43 street frontage: Maximum building setback of 10-15 feet from the highway would help create a cohesive feel between the street, sidewalk, and building entrances or storefronts. This type of standard is common for storefront or downtown main street districts.
• Architectural design: Specific standards for the design of buildings would help ensure new development is visually appealing.
• Transportation design improvements, including pedestrian crossings, streetscaping, landscaping strips, lighting improvements that enhance walking, biking, and transit connectivity along the corridor and within adjacent neighborhoods.

VISION43 is a land use framework that aims to improve walking and biking opportunities within the corridor and create opportunities for businesses, housing, and gathering places. The vision plan connects and builds upon goals, policies, and planning from the Bolton and Robinwood Neighborhood Plans, the Highway 43 Concept Plan, the West Transportation Systems Plan, and the West Linn Comprehensive Plan. The VISION43 Plan will be a foundational document guiding the revitalization of land use on the corridor over the next 50 years.

Permitted uses allowed will be very similar to the permitted uses in the updated code. The VISION43 vision plan will work in conjunction with the Highway 43 Concept Plan to improve congestion and mobility.

Winter 2025–2026 (Now)

• Draft Vision Plan and maps available to the public
• Public feedback gathered through open houses

Spring 2026

• Draft Vision Plan, zoning maps, and code amendments finalized
• Additional public outreach
• Planning Commission work sessions on code amendments

Summer 2026

• Planning Commission recommendation to City Council
• City Council work sessions

Late Summer / Fall 2026

• City Council decision

Public Encouraged to Weigh in on Highway 43 Vision Plan and Draft Mixed-Use Code

• Email the Project Team
• Share your Ideas and Comments
• Ask a Question 
• Visit the project page

Updating the 2016 OR43 Concept Plan is not a direct component of the VISION43 planning process. VISION43 is a complementary project to the Concept Plan, focusing on land use adjacent to the corridor, neighborhood connections, and pedestrian safety improvements. As currently envisioned, VISION43 will generally adhere to the road design recommendations in the Highway 43 Concept Plan, though some additions or modifications may be identified. 

VISION43 will identify proposed improvements to bicycle and pedestrian connectivity as well as additional traffic control or intersection enhancements to facilitate better connections to and across the highway. Any recommendations that differ from the 2016 OR43 Concept Plan will be clearly noted. Additionally, the process will highlight instances where standards for transportation elements—such as sidewalk or bicycle lane widths—have changed since the 2016 OR43 Concept Plan was developed.

VISION43 is a vision plan that lays out the framework for securing future grants and funds to pursue project implementation. This plan will directly shape the code for future vision implementation. Private development and the market will determine how quickly the vision is achieved.

“The VISION43 project creates new zoning and development standards to foster flexible growth along the corridor including new housing, commercial spaces, and pedestrian and bicycle improvements. Its goal is to increase opportunities to work, shop, gather, and play along the corridor. The project creates a vision document to guide the community and decision-makers in prioritizing future projects and investments that improve safe access to the corridor from surrounding neighborhoods.” – Darren Wyss, Principal Planner, City of West Linn